Category 1950s

“If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)” (The Weavers/Peter, Paul and Mary/Trini Lopez)

If I Had a Hammer, the Weavers

Today’s classic socially conscious song of the day is “If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song).” It’s a progressive song, a protest song, a song arguing for justice, equality, and the power of the people. “If I Had a Hammer” was written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays of the folk group the Weavers back in 1949 and was…

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“All I Have to Do is Dream” (The Everly Brothers/Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell)

All I Have to Do is Dream

This week’s final dream-related classic song of the day is “All I Have to Do is Dream.” The song was written by legendary songwriter Boudleaux Bryant who, along with his wife and partner Felice, wrote such classic tunes as “Bye Bye, Love,” “Wake Up, Little Susie,” “Bird Dog,” “Take a Message to Mary,” and “Devoted to You,” all big hits…

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“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (Dean Martin)

Let It Snow, Dean Martin

It’s now day number ten of twelve days of classic Christmas songs and the classic Christmas song of the day is “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” Written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne, it’s forever associated with mellow crooner Dean Martin. Sammy and Jule were a world famous songwriting team, responsible for such Great…

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“Sleigh Ride” (Johnny Mathis/The Ronettes)

Sleigh Ride, Johnny Mathis

Today is the ninth day of twelve days of classic Christmas songs, and our classic Christmas song of the day is “Sleigh Ride.” This classic was a hit for multiple artists, most notably Johnny Mathis and, in a much more contemporary version, the Ronettes. “Sleigh Ride” was composed by Leroy Anderson (who also wrote “The Syncopated Clock,” which you might…

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“Santa Baby” (Eartha Kitt)

Santa Baby, Eartha Kitt

Your classic Christmas song of the day, for this the eighth of twelve days of classic Christmas songs, is “Santa Baby,” made famous by Eartha Kitt. The tremendously sexy Ms. Kitt purrs her way through what might be the most materialistic Christmas song of some very materialistic Christmas songs. Eartha is all about the Christmas presents, baby, and she’s very…

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“Do You Want to Dance” (Bobby Freeman/The Beach Boys/Bette Midler)

Do You Want to Dance, Bette Midler

Today’s classic dance song of the day is “Do You Want to Dance,” which was a hit for three (actually four, if you count the UK) artists in three different decades. “Do You Want to Dance” was written by Bobby Freeman, a black teenager from San Francisco. Mr. Freeman was just 17 years old when he released his version of…

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“Memphis, Tennessee” (Chuck Berry)

Chuck Berry

After spending a week dissecting Dusty Springfield’s Dusty in Memphis album a few weeks back, let’s kick off a week of songs with the word “Memphis” in the title or lyrics. We’ll start with the most obvious one, Chuck Berry’s classic “Memphis, Tennessee.” Mr. Berry recorded this one in September 1958 but never released it as a single in the…

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